Robinsonappears in Dolan's Cadillac

Robinson is a third grade school teacher who becomes obsessed with avenging his wife's premature death. Elizabeth, Robinson's wife, was a witness to a criminal act committed by a high level gangster named Dolan. Elizabeth, wanting to do the right thing, reports the crime to the police and FBI and agrees to testify. Elizabeth car blows up and she dies.

Robinson tries to go on with his life. A third grade schoolteacher is no match for a criminal of Dolan's caliber and the man is protected around the clock by armed bodyguards. Still, Robinson cannot rest.

When Robinson sets his plan to kill Dolan in motion, the first task is to join a gym and become physically fit. Many of the other teachers at the school chide the pale faced Robinson for his efforts to get into shape. No one knows why Robinson is seeking a stronger and healthier body and the man is only taken seriously after his first summer on the highway construction crew. Robinson suffers greatly due to the heat and physical exertion but refuses to stop.

Robinson's dedication and devotion to both Elizabeth and the task at hand are admirable, albeit a bit crazy. It is understandable that the end must come for Dolan and Robinson is willing to suffer virtually any consequence to make it happen. Although Robinson and Elizabeth are vindicated, the man does feel some sense of guilt in the way of fear at what he has done.

Joe Newallappears in It Grows on You

Joe Newall is the main character in "It Grows on You." Newall moves to the Castle Rock section known as "the Bend," in 1904. Newall lived in Castle Rock until 1929.

Newall is a scrawny man who has an "angry, hectic face" and the corneas in his eyes are yellow. Newall is not well liked in Castle Rock. Newall's employees are none too fond of their boss, who they refer to as "Firing Joe" because an employee who misses even one shift is fired.

The man's first property is a parcel of undeveloped land purchased at a foreclosure sale due to the death of the previous owner, who had no heirs. Joe has big plans for the property as well as a wood-milling operation he operated in Gates Falls. Joe marries Cora Leonard, the niece and only heir to a very wealthy man. Cora is an unattractive, fat woman, with no breasts and a big head. Joe's decision pays off when Cora's uncle dies and she inherits.

In 1921, Cora and Joe have their first child, a mutant baby who dies shortly after birth. Joe begins to build onto the family's already monstrous house. The place is ugly but as one of the townspeople said, "It grows on you." Joe is quite wealthy by this time. One day, Cora falls down the stairs, her neck and back breaks. Cora is buried next to the baby.